twenty-something years of "what have you been up to?"

Month: April 2009

  • so many well behaved dogs

    Baraks-portuguese-water-dog
     
    It seemed like every day I grew to love Budapest more and more. What's not to love really? The architecture is beautiful, the people are nice and for the most part friendly, and the food and restaurants are quite good and relatively inexpensive. AND, they have the most polite dogs I've ever seen.

    Every day I would encounter more dog walkers than I have ever noticed before. All kinds of breeds from shepards to terriers, mutts, French bulldogs and Bichon Fris. All well behaved on and off leash. I think when a vast majority of dogs are well trained and good citizens, it says a lot about its people. The Hungarians obviously love dogs.

    One of the reasons I've noted this is because I have been thinking for quite some time now of getting a dog. I've held off because of the responsibilities which I know are numerous and taking into consideration our life in the Foreign Service; traveling around the world and being able to spend the necessary time and not neglect it.

    I suppose my dog from childhood (a border collie) brings back memories of an understanding family member. There were a few other dogs friends had had and who could forget Pablo, my cousin's dog?  

    Several years ago, I was in SF and I saw a man walk up to a Peet's Coffee on Fillmore street and tell his small dog to sit while he went inside. I watched the dog and it charmed me. When he came out, I asked him what breed it was assuming it was a poodle. It turned out to be a Portuguese Water Dog. I have seen at least 5 of them since and have always been impressed by their intelligence, affection, and personalities.  I've been contemplating and even in touch with a few breeders. The fact that President Obama is seriously thinking of getting one will no doubt make them all the more popular. Part of me really wants one and then I think perhaps we should just get a mutt. In any case, may it be as well behaved as the dogs in Hungary.

  • relish in the sun

    My metro ride in this morning was full of school age kids holding hands. Their backpacks almost too big for them. A teenage boy gave up his seat when a pregnant woman got on. These are sights which make one proud to be a member of the human race.

    Coming out of the metro tunnel, the sun was shining and all the old buildings with their statues and columns were golden. I stopped to have a coffee and pastry (no cholesterol check for the next few days).

    I saw a few patients and did some follow-ups from the day before; looking at lab results and calling folks to see how they are doing. For lunch I met a colleague who took me to a Mexican restaurant. I never expected to have a burrito in Europe but here we are, looking out over a park, talking shop and eating salsa while the waiter shouts out our order in Hungarian to the cook.

    This afternoon was a going away reseption to the Ambassador. She was appointed by President Bush and asked to stay on a bit longer by President Obama. They showed a side presentation of her many accomplishments. Speeches were made and I got to shake her hand, the visiting FSHP from Moscow.  She thanked me for my service and I wished her well. Deserts and Hungarian champagne were served.  

    It is still warm out and seemingly spring. Time for a walk!